hydrangea

' presiosa' hydrangea

'small peegee' hydrangea


'bluebird' hydrangea

'oak leaf' hydrangea

During the garden tour one of the most common questions was "What kind of hydrangea is that?" Later that night at the party for all the garden hosts we heard one gardener just made up names for things he didn't know and smiled as people wrote it down. (Strange garden humor.)

Anyway, we had fun, the weather was great, we met lots of new people and saw some old friends... and our garden is ready for summer.

Grace and Peace,

Jane

orange coneflower

This week Mike and I have been getting our garden ready for tomorrow's neighborhood garden tour. We were on the tour a few years ago and enjoyed the people wandering through our yard. It was fun chatting with fellow gardeners. So, we are looking forward to doing it again... The forecast is calling for rain. I do find comfort in knowing I am not in charge of the weather.

Grace and Peace,

Jane

strawberries

I'm making strawberry jam today....yum.

Grace and Peace,

Jane

family bouquet

When cousins Joshua and Stephanie were little we met for a family reunion in New Hampshire. Josh and Stephanie ran to each other and Stephanie exclaimed, "Josh, I have so much to tell you!" Josh responded, "Do you want to see my muscles?"

This is just one of the stories we retell when we get together and it was told this past weekend around the campfire in New York. We had such a good time retelling family folklore and also sharing our current stories. The only problem was that the time was too short for all our words. But we did leave with hearts full of love and thankfulness for each other and our time together.

Grace and Peace,

Jane

hardy aster

Today I have a long list of things to do before we head out to the reunion. I've been thinking about Mike's parents and our relationship with them always involving travel. Over the years they have traveled many miles together as well. God has given them many good gifts along the way. Good scenery, snacks, rest, friends, family and each other.

Happy 50th Ed and Lois!

Grace and Peace,

Jane

PS. Happy Birthday tomorrow Linda Kay!!!!

chives

This weekend we (all 5 of us!) are going to a reunion/anniversary get together with Mike's family. Since we will be spending almost as much time traveling as we spend with the extended family, I have been assembling snacks and anticipating our time in the car. Gorp is one of our traditional favorites. Fish crackers, raisins, peanuts, and m&m's (& sometimes pretzels). Why do I mix this stuff together and then we all pick out our favorites? I guess this is also part of our tradition. Yesterday, I made the mistake of making the gorp. Last night I got a head start and found myself with the gorp bag picking out my favorites already! I'm in trouble.

Grace and Peace,

Jane

goat's beard - aruncus dioicus

This is a very big plant in our yard. It's name and the way it looks remind me of the hairs that I sometimes find on my chin. yikes! When I got up close today I realized the flowers were beautiful. I don't think that relates to my chin at all, but it might.

Grace and peace,

Jane

a couple pots

Today I helped Linda with a wedding. What is it about a bride and groom seeing eachother for the first time that chokes me up? There is so much love and excitement in the air. I kept thinking that this is how God views us. I actually read this verse this morning:

"I will sing for joy in God, explode in praise from deep in my soul! He dressed me up in a suit of salvation, he outfitted me in a robe of righteousness, as a bridgegroom who puts on a tuxedo and a bride a jeweled tiara."

Isaiah 61:10

Grace and Peace,

Jane

siberian iris

Because it's Father's day on Sunday, I've been thinking about my Dad this week. This is my second fatherless Father's day. It's still strange to remember that he's gone. When I see the greeting cards, there's a second when I think about finding one for him. But then I remember and keep going. There are often times I think of something I want to ask him . -- I'm sure he would help me paint a room, or we could fix the tile on our front steps, or what do you think about Obama or McCain.

Maybe I'll go find a card anyway or in honor of him I'll figure out and fix the front tiles while listening to George Straight....after I eat a Steenstra's bearclaw donut. He would love that.

Grace and Peace,
Jane

peony

It's been raining alot the last few days which has been rough on our 4-5 peony blooms. They were lovely though.

I have been reading a book by Henri Nouwen called With Open Hands. Here's a quote I really liked:

"When God asked Adam, 'Where are you?' Adam answered, 'I was hiding' (Gen 3:9-10). He confessed his true condition. This confession opened him to God. When we pray, we come out of our shelters not only seeing our own nakedness but also to see that there is no enemy to hide from, only a friend who likes nothing better than to clothe us with a new coat."

Grace and Peace,
Jane

masterwort

Wort is the old english word for flower. This is interesting to me since we have spiderwort, masterwort and barrenwort in our yard. I hope your worts are doing well today.

Grace and Peace,

Jane

birdbath

By popular demand.... ok, one person wanted to see my birdbath. This morning a big black cat was sprawled out sleeping on the nearby picnic table so it may be a while before any birds are seen frolicking in the water. We have catnip in the backyard which I've seen cats selling on the corner. I think they get their supply from us. Now that we have a birdbath we may be the new hangout for eats and treats.

Grace and Peace,
Jane

lettuce and radishes

Vegetable garden update: The top picture is of our beautiful lettuce, radish and carrot rows. The bottom picture is our radish harvest yesterday. I am not a big radish fan, but when they come out of your own garden dirt they are delicious!

Grace and Peace,

Jane

foxglove

Today I went hunting for a birdbath. I knew the kind I wanted - one with stones that looked like it had been in the woods up north surrounded by ferns with moss all over it. Well, the one I found is a newer version. It's adorable and I think (by the look on Mike's face) I may have surpassed our cute-garden-ornament limit.

Grace and Peace,
Jane

cranesbill geranium - wargrave pink

For as the soil makes the sprout come up

and a garden causes seeds to grow,

so the Sovereign Lord will make

righteousness and praise

spring up before all nations

Isaiah 61:11

I hope you have a good Monday.

Grace and Peace,

Jane